A brown Swainson's thrush perched on a mossy log. — Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Swainson's Thrush

Catharus ustulatus

A robin-shaped forest thrush with a flute-like, upward-spiraling song; nicknamed the 'mosquito thrush.'

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About the Swainson's Thrush

Swainson's thrushes are 6.3 to 7.5 inches long and weigh 0.8 to 1.6 ounces, about the shape of a robin. They have olive-brown backs and spotted cream-colored chests. They live in thick forests with lots of undergrowth and pass through much of the United States during migration. They eat mostly insects, adding more fruit and berries in fall and winter.^[1]

Quick facts

Scientific name: Catharus ustulatus^[1]
Size: 6.3 to 7.5 inches long; about 12-inch wingspan.^[1]
Weight: 0.8 to 1.6 ounces.^[1]
Lifespan: Usually 1 to 2 years; up to 11 or more.^[1]
Diet: Mostly insects, plus fruit and berries in fall and winter.^[1]
Habitat: Thick forests with dense undergrowth.^[1]
Group life: Mostly solitary; migrates at night.^[1]
Babies: 3 or 4 pale blue eggs, incubated for about 2 weeks.^[1]
Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN Red List, assessed 2020).^[2]

Fun facts

It is nicknamed the 'mosquito thrush.'^[1]
Its song seems to spiral upward.^[1]
Swainson's thrushes often return to the same nesting site each year.^[1]

Vocabulary

thrush: A family of songbirds that includes robins and bluebirds.
undergrowth: Small plants and bushes growing under trees.
migrate: To travel from one region to another with the seasons.
songbird: A perching bird that can sing; songbirds make up about half of all bird species.
least concern: A conservation label meaning a species is widespread and not at risk of dying out soon.

See it in person

Smithsonian's National ZooWashington, D.C. · Bird HouseSee this animal on the zoo's website ↗

These zoos had this animal when we gathered our information, but animals sometimes move. Check the zoo's website or contact the zoo before you visit.

Sources

[1] Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. “Swainson's thrush.” https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/swainsons-thrush (accessed 2026-10-08)
[2] IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. “Catharus ustulatus (Swainson's Thrush).” https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/103881682/139429014 (accessed 2026-10-08)

Facts last checked 2026-10-08.

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